by Natalie Allen, MEd, RD, School-Community Health Educator, BJC HealthCare; and spokesperson, Coalition for a Healthy and Active America

It can be a difficult task to keep your kids physically active during the winter months but with better weather, participating in physical activity, especially outdoors, becomes a much more appealing idea.

Physical activity is an integral part of reducing childhood obesity and its harmful effects. As parents, we must help create healthy lifestyles for our children by encouraging exercise and becoming a model for our kids. A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nationwide survey reported that nearly one in four children 9-13 had no exercise at all outside school in the previous week. These statistics should motivate families to be more physically active as a routine.

Spring is one of the best times to take advantage of the weather: it has warmed up significantly from the cold winter months, while not yet reaching the stifling heat of summer. Bicycle-riding, walking, and rollerblading are considered physical fitness and are part of a healthy lifestyle. More strenuous activities, including hiking, climbing, and playing basketball or soccer, are other fun ways to promote exercise with your children. And, exercising as a family will allow you to show first-hand the importance of physical fitness.

In addition to what you can do at home, encourage your child's school to schedule activity or pla-time to promote fitness, as well as social interaction with others. Local park and recreation bureaus will also provide ample warm-weather facilities for children's uses, including parks, playgrounds and athletic fields. All of these are good options for engaging in physical fitness.

Spring break is another opportunity to plan for physical fitness. Children and parents alike value spring break as a way to relax from the daily routine and take part in fun, different activities. Plan an outdoor picnic for your family that includes a physical component such as a softball game. Select a child-care program that emphasizes health and fitness. Encouraging physical activity in the spring will also prime your kids for their upcoming summer vacation.

Childhood obesity is a serious issue we cannot ignore. Parents must protect the health of our children from the long-term effects of obesity, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even cancer. Now that winter "hibernation" has ended, encourage your child to stretch his or her legs and rediscover the backyard, the neighborhood park or the bike path. There has never been a better time than this spring to start living a healthy and active lifestyle.

Information From: http://www.bjc.org/bjc_community_content.aspx?id=2063